hikyat e sahaba

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Hikayat-e-SahabaStories of the Sahaba

By Shaykhul-Hadeeth Maulana Mohammed Zakariyya

Kandhalwi (RA)

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Table of Contents

Authors Foreword..............................................................................................................................................

Chapter 1: Steadfastness in the face of hardships ...............................................................................................

1. The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) Journey to Taif .....................................................................

2. Martyrdom of Hadhrat Anas bin Nadhr (Radhiyallaho anho): .................................................................

3. The Truce of Hudeybiah and Story of Hadhrat Abu Jandal and Hadhrat Abu Basir (Radhiyallahoanhuma) ........................................................................................................................................................ 1

4. Hadhrat Bilal (Radhiyallaho anho) and his sufferings .............................................................................

5. Hadhrat Abuzar Ghifari's (Radhiyallaho anho) Conversion to Islam:......................................................

6. The Afflictions of Hadhrat Khabbab bin Alarat (Radhiyallaho anho): .................................................... 1

7. Hadhrat Ammaar (Radhiyallaho anho) and His Parents: .........................................................................

8. Hadhrat Sohaib's (Radhiyallaho anho) coming into Islam: ......................................................................

9. Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) coming into Islam. ..........................................................................

10. The Flight to Abyssinia and Ostracism in the Gorge of Ibn-Abi Talib: ................................................. 1

Chapter 2: Fear of Allah ................................................................................................................................... 2

1. The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) Apprehensions at the time of a storm. ................................. 2

2. What Hadhrat Anas (Radhiyallaho anho) used to do when a storm approached: .................................... 2

3. The action of Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) at the Time of Solar Eclipse. .................................. 2

4. The Prophet's weeping the whole night: ................................................................................................... 2

5. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) and The Fear of Allah: .............................................................. 2

6. Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) and the Fear of Allah. ..................................................................... 2

7. An Admonition by Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbas (Radhiyallaho anho). .................................................. 2

8. The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) passing near the ruins of Thamud during Tabuk expedition:

...................................................................................................................................................................... 2

9. Hadhrat Ka'ab's (Radhiyallaho anho) Failure to Join the Tabuk Expedition: .......................................... 2

10. The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) reprimand on the Sahabah's Laughing: ............................. 3

11. Hadhrat Hanzlah's (Radhiyallaho anho) Fear of Nifaq: ......................................................................... 3

12. A Few Miscellaneous Stories about the Fear of Allah: .......................................................................... 3

Chapter 3: Abstinence and Self-Denial of Sahaba ........................................................................................... 3

1. The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) Dislike for gold: ................................................................... 3

2. The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) Life of Abstinence: .............................................................. 3

3. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallaho anho) in a State of Hunger ........................................................... 3

4. Hadhrat Abu Bakr's (Radhiyallaho anho) Daily Allowance from the Bait-ul Mal .................................. 4

5. Hadhrat 'Umar's (Radhiyallaho anho) Daily Allowance: ......................................................................... 4

6. Bilal's (Radhiyallaho anho) story about the Prophet: ............................................................................... 4

7. Another Story of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah's (Radhiyallaho anho) Hunger: ................................................ 4
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8. The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) opinion about two persons: .................................................. 4

10. The Al-Ambar Expedition: ..................................................................................................................... 4

Chapter 4: Piety and Scrupulousness ................................................................................................................ 4

1. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) accepts a woman's invitation: ................................................ 4

2. The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) Sleepless Night: ................................................................... 4

3. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) and a soothsayer's food: ............................................................ 4

4. Hadhrat Umar (Rtadhiyallaho anho) vomits out milk of Sadaqah: .......................................................... 4

5. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (RadhiyaIlaho anho) gives his garden to Bait-ul-Maal: ............................................. 5

6. The story of Ali bin Ma'bad: (RahmatuIIah alaih) ................................................................................... 5

7. Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallaho anho] passes by a grave: ................................................................................ 5

8. The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) verdict about haraam food: .................................................. 5

9. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) does not like his wife to weigh musk: ............................................. 5

10. Hadhrat Umar-bin-Abdul Aziz (Rahmatullah alaih) dismisses a governor: .......................................... 5

Chapter 5: Devotion to Salah ............................................................................................................................ 5

1. Blessings ofNafl (non-obligatory) Prayers: .............................................................................................. 5

2. The Propet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) spends the whole night in Salaat: ............................................. 5

3. The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) recitation of the Qur'an in Salaat: ........................................ 5

4. Salaat of a Few Eminent Sahabah: ........................................................................................................... 5

5. Salaat of a Muhajir and an Ansari keeping watch: ................................................................................... 5

6. Hadhrat Abu Talha (Radhiyallaho anho) and his Salaat: ......................................................................... 5

7. Hadhrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallaho anho) and his Salaat: .......................................................................... 5

8. Sahabah's suspending trade at the time of Salaat: .................................................................................... 5

9. Martyrdom of Hadhrat Khubaib, Hadhrat Zaid and Hadhrat Asim (Radhiyallaho anhum): .................... 5

10. Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) company in Paradise: ................................................................ 6

Chapter 6: Sympathy & Self-Sacrifice ............................................................................................................. 6

1. Feeding the guest in darkness: .................................................................................................................. 6

2. -Feeding a fasting Sahabi: ........................................................................................................................ 6

3. Overpayment of Zakaat: ........................................................................................................................... 6

5. Sahabah dying thirsty for others: .............................................................................................................. 6

6. Hadhrat Hamzah's (Radhiyallaho anho) shroud: ...................................................................................... 6

7. The Story ofthe Goat's Head: .................................................................................................................... 6

8. Hadhrat 'Umar's (Radhiyallaho anho) wife acts as a midwife: ................................................................ 6

9. Hadhrat Abu Talhah (Radhiyallaho anho) gives his garden to Allah: ...................................................... 6

10. Hadhrat Abuzar (Radhiyallaho anho) reprimands his servant: ............................................................... 7

Chapter 7: Valour and Heroism ........................................................................................................................ 7

Ibn Jahsh (Radhiyallaho anho) and Sa'd (Radhiyallaho anho) Pray for Each Other: ................................... 7


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2. Hadhrat Ali's (Radhiyallaho anho) valour in Uhud: ................................................................................. 7

3. Hadhrat Hanzalah (Radhiyallaho anho) is martyred ................................................................................ 7

4. Hadhrat 'Amr bin Jamooh's (Radhiyallaho anho) desire for martyrdom. ................................................. 7

5. Hadhrat Mus'ab bin 'Umair (Radhiyallaho anho) gets martyred. ............................................................. 7

6. Hadhrat Sa'd's (Radhiyallaho anho) epistle to Rustam. ............................................................................ 7

7. Hadhrat Wahb bin Qabus (Radhiyallaho anho) gets martyred. ................................................................ 7

8. Tragedy of Bi'r Ma'oona. .......................................................................................................................... 8

9. Hadhrat 'Umair (Radhiyallaho anho) gives up Eating Dates. ................................................................... 8

10. Hadhrat 'Umar's {Radhiyallaho anho) Emigration to Madinah. ............................................................. 8

11. Expedition to Moota. .............................................................................................................................. 8

12. The Story ofSaeed bin Jubair and Hajjaj Bin Yusuf............................................................................... 8

Chapter 8: Zeal for Knowledge ........................................................................................................................ 8

1. Sahabah's Panel for Fatwa. ....................................................................................................................... 8

2. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) burns his collections: ................................................................ 9

3. Hadhrat Mu'sab bin Umair (Radhiyallaho anho) carries out Tabligh,...................................................... 9

4. Hadhrat 'Ubayy bin Ka'ab (Radhiyallaho anho) Teaches Hadith, ............................................................ 9

5. Hadhrat Huzaifah's (Radhiyallaho anho) Anxiety Regarding Tribulations. ............................................. 9

6. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah's (Radhiyallaho anho) Memory for Hadith. ......................................................... 9

8. Hadhrat Ibn Mas'ood's (Radhiyallahoanho) Cautiousness About Hadith: ............................................... 9

9. A Person Travels from Madinah to Damascus For One Hadith. .............................................................. 9

10. Hadhrat Ibn Abbas's (Radhiyallaho anho) Thirst For Knowledge. ........................................................ 9

Chapter 9: Pleasing the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) ....................................................................... 10

1. Hadhrat Ibn Amr (Radhiyallaho anho) Burns His Sheet. ....................................................................... 10

2. An Ansari razes a building to the ground. ............................................................................................. 10

3. Sahabah's Discard of Red Sheets of Saddle Cloth. Hadhrat Rafe' (Radhiyallaho anho) says: ............... 10

4. Hadhrat Waa'il (Radhiyallaho anho) Has His Hair Cut. ......................................................................... 10

6. Hadhrat Ibn Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) gives up speaking with his son. .............................................. 10

7. Hadhrat Ibn Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) Replies to a Question. ............................................................. 10

8. Hadhrat Ibn Mughaffal (Radhiyallaho anho) Discontinues Relations With His Nephew. ..................... 1

9. Hadhrat Ibn Hizam (Radhiyallaho anho) Gives up Begging .. ............................................................... 1

10. Hadhrat Huzaifah (Radhiyallaho anho) Goes For Spying. ................................................................... 1

Chapter 10: Womens courage and spirit of Islam......................................................................................... 11

1. Hadhrat Fatimah (RadhiyaIlaho anha's) Tasbih: .................................................................................... 1

2. Hadhrat Aishah (Radhiyallaho anha's) Spending in the Path of Allah. .................................................. 1

3. Hadhrat Aishah (Radhiyallaho anha) Gets Angry With Hadhrat Ibn Zubair (Radhiyallaho anho): ...... 1

4. Hadhrat Aishah (Radhiyallaho anha) and Fear of Allah: ....................................................................... 1


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5. Story of Hadhrat Umme Salmah (Radhiyallaho anha): .......................................................................... 1

6, Ladies in the Khaibar Campaign: ........................................................................................................... 11

7. Hadhrat Umme Haram(Radhiyallo Anha) in the battle for Cyprus: ....................................................... 1

8. Story of Hadhrat Umme Sulaim (Radhiyallaho anha): ........................................................................... 1

10. The Story of Hadhrat Zainab (RadhiyaJlaho anha) .............................................................................. 12

11. Hadhrat Khansa (Radhiyallaho anha) Exhorts Her Sons to Bravery. ................................................... 12

12. Hadhrat Safiyyah (Radhiyallaho anha) Kills A Jew ............................................................................. 12

13. Hadhrat Asma (Radhiyallaho anha's) Interview With the Prophet [Sallullahn alaihe wasallam)

Regarding the Reward for Women. ............................................................................................................ 12

14. The Story of Hadhrat Umme Ammarah (Radhiyallaho anha). ............................................................. 12

15. Story of Hadhrat Umme Hakim (Radhiyallaho anha). ......................................................................... 12

16. Martyrdom of Uadhrat Sumayyah (Radhiyallaho anha), ..................................................................... 12

17. The story of Hadhrat Asma bint Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anha). ........................................................ 12

18. Hadhrat Asma (Radhiyallaho anha) Pacifies her Grandfather. ............................................................ 12

19. Hadhrat Asma ' (Radhiyallaho anha's) Spending in Charity. ............................................................... 12

20. The Story of the Prophet Sallallaho alaihe wasallam's Daughter Hadhrat Zainab (Radhiyallaho anha):

.................................................................................................................................................................... 12

21. Hadhrat Rubayyi (Radhiyallaho anha's) High-mindedness: ................................................................. 13

22. Life Sketches ofUmmuhat-ul-Momineen: ............................................................................................ 13

(8) Hadhrat Juwairiah bintul Harith (Radhiyallaho anha): ......................................................................... 13

(11) Hadhrat Maimoonah (Radhiyallaho anha): ......................................................................................... 13

Appendix: The Sons of The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam): ........................................................... 13

Appendix: The Daughters of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam): .................................................... 14(1) Hadhrat Zainab (Radhiyallaho anha): ............................................................................................... 14

(3) Hadhrat Umme Kulsum (Radhiyallaho anha): .................................................................................. 14

(4) Hadhrat Fatimah (Radhiyallaho anha): ............................................................................................. 14

Chapter 11: Childrens devotion to Islam....................................................................................................... 14

1. Children keep fast. .................................................................................................................................. 14

2. Hadhrat Aishah's (Radhiyallaho anha) Zeal for Knowledge. ................................................................. 14

3. Hadhrat 'Umair (Radhiyallaho anho) goes to Battle. .............................................................................. 14

4. Hadhrat 'Umair' bin Abi Waqqaas (Radhiyallaho anho) hides himself. ................................................. 145. Two Youngsters of the Ansar Kill Abu Jahl. ......................................................................................... 14

6. A Contest Between Rafe' and Samurah. ................................................................................................. 14

7. Hadhrat Zaid (Radhiyallaho anho) Gets Preference for His Qur'an. ...................................................... 14

8. Hadhrat Abu Saeed Khudri's (Radhiyallaho anho) Restraint. ................................................................ 14

9. Hadhrat Salmah bin Akwah (Radhiyallaho anho) faces the Bandits. ..................................................... 15

10. Hadhrat Bara's (Radhiyallaho anho) eagerness to Join in Badr. ........................................................... 15


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11. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abdullah bin Ubayy (RadhiyaIlaho anha) disgraces his Munafiq Father ........ 15

12. Hadhrat Jabir's (Radhiyallaho anho) Eagerness to Fight. ..................................................................... 15

13. Hadhrat Ibn Zubair's (Radhiyallaho anho) Valour against the Romans. .............................................. 15

14. Hadhrat Amr bin Salamah (Radhiyallaho anho) Leads in Salaat, ........................................................ 15

16, Hadhrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallaho anho) Memorises the Qur'an in His Childhood. ............................ 15

17. Abdullah bin Amr bin Aas Notes Down Ahadith: ................................................................................ 15

18. Zaid bin Thabit Memorises the Qur'an. ................................................................................................ 15

19. Hasan's Knowledge of Islam. ............................................................................................................... 15

20. Husain's Zeal for Knowledge. .............................................................................................................. 15

Chapter 12: Love for the Prophet ................................................................................................................... 16

1. Abu Bakr's (Radhiyallaho anho) Sufferings for Islam. .......................................................................... 16

2. 'Umar's (Radhiyallaho anho) Grief at the Prophet's Death. .................................................................... 16

3. An Ansari Woman's Anxiety About the Prophet. ................................................................................... 16

4. The Behaviour of Sahabah at Hudeybiyah. ............................................................................................ 16

5. Ibn Zubair's (Radhiyallaho anho) disposal of blood. .............................................................................. 16

6. Abu 'Ubaidah (Radhiyallaho anho) loses His Teeth. .............................................................................. 16

7. Zaid (Radhiyallaho anho) Refuses to Go With His Father. .................................................................... 16

8. Anas bin Nadhr's (Radhiyallaho anho) Martyrdom in Uhud. ................................................................. 16

9. Sa'd's (Radhiyallaho anho) Message For The Muslims. ......................................................................... 16

10. A Woman Dies On Seeing the Prophet's Grave. .................................................................................. 16

11. Sahabah's Love For the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and other Anecdotes. .......................... 16

The Epilogue. .............................................................................................................................................. 17


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Authors ForewordWe glorify Allah and ask blessings and salutations of peace for the noble Prophet (Sallallaho alaih

wasallam) and his companions and those who follow him in upholding the cause of the right religion.

It was in the year 1353 A.H. that an eminent Sheikh, who is my patron and for whom I have every respec

enjoined me to compile a book containing stories of the companions.of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihwasallam), with special reference to the Faith and Practices of the women and children of his time. The ma

idea underlying this behest was that Muslim mothers, while going to bed at night, instead of telling mythand fables to their children, may narrate to them such real and true tales of the golden age of Islam that wou

create in them an Islamic spirit of love and esteem for Sahabah, and thereby improve their 'Imaan'; and thproposed book may, thus, be a useful substitute for the current- story books. It became essential for me

comply with tlie desire of the Sheikh, for, besides being under moral debt and obligation to him for h

immense beneficence, I consider the goodwill of such godly people to be the source of success in this worand the Hereafter. I knew my shortcomings and difficulties and, therefore, had been postponing the executio

of this work for four years, when in Safar 1357 A.H., it so happened that I was advised by the doctors

suspend my regular duty of teaching for some time. I decided to utilize this period of rest for complying wi

the long-standing desire of the Sheikh, with the belief that even if my attempt did not Game up to hexpectation, it would anyhow be a pleasant engagement for me and one likely to bring me spiritual blessing

in addition.

i 'I

It is an admitted fact that the stories of the godly ~

people deserve to be studied rather deeply, in order to r.. derive proper benefit from them. This is mo

important in case of Sahabah, who were chosen by Allah for the company of His beloved and our de

Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). Their stories not only serve as a beacon

of Faith and Practice but also cause Allah's blessings and mercy to descend on the readers. ]unaid Baghda

(Rahmatullah alaih), a head of the Sufees, once said:

"Stories of the pious and godly are Allah's special devices, which encourage the hearts of those who strive i

His Path;"

Somebody inquired of Junaid (Rahmatullah alaih) if he could cite something in support of his statement. H

replied: .

"Yes. Allah has said in His Book-

"And all that we relate unto thee of the stories of the messengers is in order that thereby We ma

make the heart firm. And herein hath come unto thee the Truth and an exhortation and a remindefor believers." (XI: 120)

One cannot lay too much stress on the point that whether these be the sayings of the Holy Prophet (Sallallah

alaihe wasallam) or the stories of other God-fearing people, or the books on Islamic practices, or the epistleand written discourses of the saints, it is riot enough to go through them once only, but they have to b

studied over and over again in order to derive proper benefit from them. Abu Sulaiman Darani (Rahmatulla

alaih], a famous Saint, writes:


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"I attended a discourse by a Sheikh at his residence. It had some effect on me, but only till the time that I rofrom the meeting. I went to his audience for the second time to listen to his discourse, and this time the effe

remained with me till I reached my home. When I visited him for the third time, the effect of his discours

stayed with me even after reaching home. Then I broke the shackles that had kept me away from Allah, an

set out on His path to seek His pleasure."

Such is the case with religious books. A cursory reading of these seldom produces the desired effect, and

frequent and thorough study thereof is therefore necessary.

For the convenience of the readers, and to interest them, I have divided this book into the following twelv

chapters together with an epilogue.

1) Chapter I Steadfastness in the face of hardships2) Chapter II Fear of Allah.3) Chapter III Abstinence and Contentment.4) Chapter IV Piety and Scrupulousness.5) Chapter V Devotion to Salaat.6) Chapter VI Sympathy and Self-sacrifice and spending in the path of Allah.7) Chapter VII Valour and Heroism.8) Chapter VIII Zeal for knowledge.9) Chapter IX Ready Compliance with the Prophet's Wishes.10)Chapter X The Women's love of Faith and their Courage.11)Chapter XI The Children's Devotion to Islam.12)Chapter XII Love and Devotion for the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam).


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Chapter 1: Steadfastness in the face of hardshipsIt is really very hard for the Muslims of to-day to imagine, and much less to endure or even to attempt t

endure, the hardships that were borne by the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and his illustrioucompanions in the path of Allah. Books of history are full of stories of their sufferings. It is a pity that we ar

so indifferent to those events and our knowledge is so poor in this regard. I open this chapter with a sto

about the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) himself to get the blessings of Allah, which are sure to attenhis auspicious mention. '

1. The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) Journey to Taif

For nine years, since his selection by Allah for His mission, the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) ha

been delivering the message of Allah in Mecca and making allL.;it efforts to guide and reform h

community. Excepting a few persons who had either embraced Islam or who helped him though naccepting his creed, all the rest in Mecca left no stone unturned in persecuting and deriding him and h

followers. His uncle Abu Talib was one of those goodhearted people who helped him, in spite of his n

entering into the fold of Islam.

The following year, on the death of Abu Talib, the Qureysh got a free hand and therefore accelerated thesinister pursuits without check and hindrance. At Tail, the second biggest town of Hijaz, there lived Ban

Thaqif, a clan strong in number. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) left for Taif with the hope winning them over to Islam, thus giving quarter to Muslims from the persecution of the Qureysh, and als

establishing a base for -the future propagation of Islam. On reaching Taif he visited the three chieftains of th

clan separately, and placed before each of them the message of Allah, and called upon them to stand by hProphet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) side. Instead of accepting his message, they refused even to listen him and. notwithstanding the proverbial Arab hospitality, each of them treated him most contemptuously an

rudely. They plainly told him that they did not like his stay in their town. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaih

wasallam) had expected a civil, even a cordial treatment and due courtesy in speech from them, as they wethe heads of the clan. But one of them sneered:

"Hey, Allah has made you a Prophet!"

The other exclaimed with derision:

"Could Allah not lay His hand on anyone else, beside you to make him His Prophet?"

The third one gibed at him:

"I do not want to talk to you, for if you are in fact a Prophet, then to oppose you is to invite trouble, and

you only pretend to be one, why should I talk with an impostor?"

The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), who was a rock of steadfastness and perseverance, did not loheart over this check from the chieftains, and tried to approach the common people; but nobody would liste

to him. Instead they asked him to clear off from their own town and go wherever else he liked. When h

realised that further efforts were in vain, he decided to leave the town. But they would not let him depart i

peace, and set the street urchins after him to hiss. to hoot. to jeer at, and to stone him. tie was so much pelteat with stones that his whole body was covered with blood, and his shoes were clogged to his feet. He left th

town in this woeful plight. When he was far out of the town, and safe from the rabble, he prayed to Alla

thus: '


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"0 my Allah! To Thee I complain of the feebleness of my strength. of my lack of resources and m

being unimportant in the eyes of people. 0, Most Merciful of all those capable of showing mercy! Tho

art the Lord of the weak, and Thou art my own Lord. To whom art Thou to entrust me; to a

unsympathetic foe who would sullenly frown at me, or to an alien to whom Thou hast given contr

over my affairs? Not in the least do I care for anything except that I may have Thy protection fo

myself. I seek shelter in Your light-the light which illuminates the Heavens and dispels all sorts

darkness, and which controls all affairs in this world as well as in the Hereafter. May it never be thatshould incur Thy wrath, or that Thou should be displeased with me. I must remove the cause of Th

displeasure till Thou art pleased. There is no strength nor power but through Thee."

The Heavens were moved by the prayer, and Jibrail (Alayhis salaam) appeared before the Prophet (Sallallah

alaihe wasallam), greeting him with Assalamu Alaikum and said:

"Allah knows all that has passed between you and these people. He has deputed an angel in charge of th

mountains to be at your command."

Saying this, Jibrail (Alayhis salam) ushered the angel before the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). Th

angel greeted the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and said:

"0, Prophet of Allah! I am at your service, If you wish, I can cause the mountains overlooking this town o

both sides to collide with each other, so that all the people therein would be crushed to death, or you masuggest any other punishment for them."

The merciful and noble Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said:

"Even if these people do not accept Islam, I do hope from Allah that there will be persons from among the

progeny who would worship Allah and serve His cause."

Behold the conduct of our noble Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), whom we profess to follow! W~ g

so much irritated over a little trouble or a mere abuse from somebody that we keep on torturing and takin

our revenge throughout our lives in every possible manner. Does it become people who claim to follow thmagnanimous Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)? Look, even after so much suffering at the hands of th

Taif mob, he neither curses them nor does he work for any revenge, even when he has the full opportunity t

do so.

2. Martyrdom of Hadhrat Anas bin Nadhr (Radhiyallaho anho):

Hadhrat Anas bin Nadhr (Radhiyallaho anho) was one of the Sahabah who could not take part in thcampaign of Badr. He very much regretted to have missed the honour of participating in the first and th

most illustrious battle for Islam. He longed for a chance wherein he could make amends for Badr. He did nohave to wait for long. The battle of Uhud came about in the following year. He joined the army with the mo

determined zeal. Despite heavy odds, the Muslims were gaining the upper hand, when some people made blunder and the Muslims had to suffer a reverse. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) had posted a ban

of fifty archers to guard a pass in the rear against the enemy cavalry. They had definite instructions not tmove from their position till further orders from him. But when they saw the Muslims gaining victory anthe enemy in full flight, they left their position in the belief that the battle was over and it was time to join i

the pursuit and get on to the booty. The leader of the band tried his utmost to check them by reminding the


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of the Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) command and solicited them to stay on, but no more than tepersons would listen to him, arguing that the orders given by the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) we

only for the duration of the actual fight. The enemy cavalry then noticed the unguarded pass in the rear, mad

a flank movement, forced a passage through it, and fell right on the rear of the Muslims, who were pr

occupied with the booty. It was in this state of affairs that Hadhrat Anas (Radhiyallaho anho) saw HadhraSa'ad bin Ma'az (Radhiyallaho anho) passing in front of him. He shouted to him:

"0. Sa'ad! where are you going? By Allah! I smell the fragrance of Paradise coming from Mount Uhud."

Saying this, he threw himself into the very thick of the enemy, and fought tooth and nail till he met h

martyrdom.

After the battle, it was found that his body had been mauled and mutilated to such an extent that only hi

sister could identify him, and that barely from the finger tips. No less than eighty wounds of arrows an

swords were counted on his body.

Those who strive in the path of Allah with sincerity and devotion taste the pleasures of Paradise even in th

world, and so did Anas (Radhiyallaho anho) smell the fragrance of Paradise.

3. The Truce of Hudeybiah and Story of Hadhrat Abu Jandal and Hadhrat Abu Basir

(Radhiyallaho anhuma)

In the 6th year of Hijrah, the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) along with his companions left for Mec

to perform Umrah. The Qureysh heard of the news and decided to resist his entry into Mecca even as pilgrim, and so he had to encamp at Hudeybiah. The devoted Sahabah, 1400 in number, were howev

determined to enter, even if it involved an open fight; but the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) viewe

the matter differently and in spite of the Sahabah's eagerness to fight, entered into a treaty with the Qureysh

accepting their conditions in full.

This one-sided and seemingly ungraceful truce was a very bitter pill for the Sahabah to swallow, but the

devotion to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) would not allow them to demur, and even the movaliant man like Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) could not but submit to his decision. According to on

of the articles of the treaty, converts to Islam during the period of the truce were to be returned but not so th

deserters from Muslims to Qureysh.

Hadhrat Abu Jandal (Radhiyallaho anho) a Muslim in Mecca, was suffering great persecution at the hands o

Qureysh. They kept him constantly in chains. On hearing about the arrival of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihwasallam) in Hudeybiah, he escaped somehow and managed to reach the Muslim camp at a time when th

truce was about to be signed. His father, Suhail (till then a non-Muslim) was the envoy of Qureysh in th

negotiations for the truce. He smote Hadhrat Abu Jandal (Radhiyallaho anho) on his face and insisted o

taking him back to Mecca. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) represented that, since the truce had ntill then been written, its application in Abu Iandals case was premature. Suhail, however, would not listen

any argument and was not inclined to leave his sons with the Muslims even at the personal request of th

Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), and would have forgone the truce even. Abu Jandal (Radhiyallah

anho) counting his hardships remonstrated at the top of his voice but much to the grief of the Sahaba, thProphet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) agreed to his return. He however enjoined on him patience, saying:

Do not be distressed, Hadhrat Abu Jandal (Radhiyallaho anho); Allah will soon open a way for you.


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After the truce was signed and the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) had returned to Madinah, anotheMakkan Muslim Hazrat Abu Baseer (RA) escaped to Madinah and besought the Prophet (Sallallaho alaih

wasallam)s protection. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) refused to accept his implorations and

deference to the truce condition, handed him over to the two persons who had been deputed by the Quraish t

claim him. He however advised him to be patient just as he had advised Hadhrat Abu Jandal (Radhiyallahanho) and to hope for the help of Allah. When Hazrat Abu Baseer (RA) and his escort were on their wa

back to Maakkah, Hazrat Abu Baseer (RA) said to one of them,

Your sword is extremely fine

The man was flattered and took it out of the sheath and said,

Yes it is really fine. I have tried it on so many people, you can have a look at it

Most foolishly he made the sword over to Hazrat Abu Baseer (RA), who immediately tried on its own

and killed him. The other man took to his heels and reached Madinah to report to Prophet (Sallallaho alaihwasallam). In the meantime Hazrat Abu Baseer (RA) also arrived and said to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaih

wasallam),

O Prophet of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), you once retruned me and absolved yourself of the truc

obligations. I had no obligations to fulfil and I managed to escape through my trick as I was afraid of the

forcing me to forsake my faith

Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) remarked,

You are a war-monger, I wish you could be helped

Hazrat Abu Baseer (RA) came to understand from this that he would be returned to Quraish when the

demanded him. He therefore left Madinah and fled to a place in the desert on the seashore. Hadhrat AbJandal (Radhiyallaho anho) also managed to escape and joined him there. More Muslims from Makka

followed and in a few days quite a number of fugitives had gathered in the wilderness. They had to underg

untold sufferings in the Desert as there was no habitation or vegetation. They however bound by no treaproved to be nuisance for Quraish dealing blows after blows on their caravans passing by. This compelled th

Quraish to beseech the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) to call the fugitives back to Madinah, so th

they may be bond by the same terms of the treaty. It is said that Hazrat Abu Baseer (RA) was on his death

bed when the letter of Prophet of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) reached him and died holding thProphet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)s letter in his hand.

No power on earth can make a person forsake his faith, provided it is true faith. Moreover Allah had giveassurance to help those who are true Muslims.

4. Hadhrat Bilal (Radhiyallaho anho) and his sufferings

Hadhrat Bilal (Radhiyallaho anho) is one of the best known amongst the galazy of Sahaba as the Moazzin o

Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)s Masjid. He was an abbysinian slave of the disbeliever in Makkah. Hconversion to Islam was naturally not liked by his master, and he was therefore persecuted mercilesslUmmayah bin Khalaf who was the worst enemy of Islam would make him lie down on burning sand


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midday and would place a heavystone on his breast, so that he could not even move a limb. He would thesay to him,

Renounce Islam or swelter and die

Under these afflictions Bilal (Radhiyallaho anho) would exclaim,

Ahad! The one Allah! Ahad! The one Allah!

He was whipped at night and with the cuts thus received. made to lie on the burning ground during the day

make him either forsake Islam or to die a lingering death from wounds. The torturers would get tired and takturns (Abu [ahl, Umayyah and others) and vie with one another in afflicting more and more painf

punishment. but Hadhrat Bilal (Radhiyallaho anho) would not yield. At last Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anh

bought his freedom, and he became a free Muslim.

As Islam taught implicitly the oneness of the Almighty Creator. ,while the idolaters of Mecca believed imany gods and goddesses with minor godlings, therefore Bilal (Radhiyallaho anho) repeated:

"Ahad (The One). Ahad (The One)."

This shows his love and devotion to Allah. Allah was so dear to him that no amount of persecution coul

distract him from reciting His Holy name. It is said that the urchins of Mecca would drag him in the streetwith his words "Ahadl, Ahad!" ringing in their wake.

Look how Allah rewarded his steadfastness! He was to have the honour of becoming the Prophet's moazziHe was always to remain with him at home and abroad to call out the Azaan for his Salaat. After th

Prophet's death it became very-hard for him to continue his stay in Madinah where he would miss him

every step and in every corner. He therefore left Madinah, and decided to pass the rest of his life striving

the path of Allah. Once he beheld the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) in his dream saying to him:

"0, Bilal! How is it that you never visit me."

No sooner did 'he get up than he set out for Madinah. On reaching there. Hadhrat Hasan and Hadhrat Husa

(Radhiyallaho anhuma) (The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) grandsons) requested him to call out th

Azaan. He could not refuse them, for they were very dear to him. But as soon as the Azaan was called. th

people of Madinah cried openly out of their anguish at the memory of the happyoid days of the Prophe(SallalIaho alaihe wasalIam) time. Even the women came out of their houses weeping. Hadhrat Bil

(Radhiyallaho anho) left Madinah again after a few days and died in Damascus in 20 A.H.

5. Hadhrat Abuzar Ghifari's (Radhiyallaho anho) Conversion to Islam:

Hadhrat Abuzar Ghifari (Radhiyallaho anho) is very famous among the Sahabah for his piety and knowledgHadhrat Ali (Radhiyallaho anho) used to say:

"Abuzar is the custodian of such knowledge as other oeople are incapable of acquiring."


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When he first got news of the Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) mission, he deputed his brother to go Mecca and make investigations regarding 'the person' who claimed to be the recipient of Divine revelatio

His brother returned after necessary enquiries, and informed him that he found Muhammad (Sallallaho alaih

wasallam) to be a man of good habits and excellent conduct, and that his wonderful revelations were neith

poetry nor sooth-sayings. This report did not satisfy him, and he decided to set out for Mecca and find out thfacts for himself. On reaching Mecca, he went straight to the Haram. He did not know the Prophet (Sallallah

alaihe wasallam) and he did not consider it advisable (under the circumstances prevailing at that time)

enquire about him from anybody. When it became dark, Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallaho anho) noticed him anseeing in him a stranger, could not ignore him, as hospitality and care for the travellers, the poor and thstrangers, were the Sahabah's second nature. He, therefore, took him to his place. He did not ask him abou

the purpose of his visit to Mecca, nor did Abuzar (Radhiyallaho anho) himself disclose it. Next day, he agawent to the Haram and stayed there till nightfall without being able to learn who the Prophet (Sallallah

alaihe wasallam) was. In fact everybody knew that the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and h

companions were being persecuted in Mecca, and Abuzar (Radhiyallahoanho) might have had misgiving

about the result of his quest for the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallaho anho

again took him home for the night, but again did not have any talk with him about the purpose of his visit tthe city. On the third night, however, after Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallaho anho) had entertained him as on th

two previous nights, he asked him:

"Brother, what brings you to this town?"

Before replying, Hadhrat Abuzar (Radhiyallaho anho) took an undertaking from Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallahanho) that he would speak the truth, and then he enquired from him about Muhammad (Sallallaho alaih

wasallarn). Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallaho anho) replied:

"He is verily the Prophet of Allah. You accompany me tomorrow and I shall take you to him. But you hav

to be very careful, lest people come to know of your association with me, and you get into trouble. When o

our way I apprehend some trouble, I shall get aside pretending some necessity or adjusting my shoes, an

you will proceed ahead without stopping so that the people may not connect us."

The next day, he followed Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallaho anho), who took him before the Prophet (Sallallah

alaihe wasallam). In the very first meeting, he embraced Islam. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallamfearing that the Qureysh might harm him, enjoined upon him not to make an open declaration of his Islam

and bade him to go back to his clan and return when Muslims had gained the upper hand. Hadhrat Abuz

(Radhiyallaho anho) replied:

"0, Prophet of Allah! By Him who is the master of my soul, I must go and recite the Kalimah in the midst o

these unbelievers."

True to his word, he went straight to the Haram and, right in the midst. of the crowd and at the pitch of h

voice, recited Shahadah viz:

"I bear witness that there is no god save Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihwasallam) is the Prophet of Allah."

People fell upon him from all sides, and would have beaten him to death if Abbas (the Prophet's uncle, whhad not till then embraced Islam) had not shielded him and saved him from death. Abbas said to the mob:


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"Do you know who he is? He belongs to the Ghi-far clan, who live on the way of our caravans to Syria. If his killed. they will waylay us and we shall not be able to trade with that country."

This appealed to their prudence and they left him alone.

The next day Hadhrat Abuzar (Radhiyallaho anho) repeated his perilous confession of Imaan and would hav

surely been beaten to death by the crowd. had not Abbas intervened once again and saved him for the secon

time.

The action of Hadhrat Abuzar (Radhiyallaho anho) was due to his extraordinary zeal for proclaimin

Kalimah among the disbelievers. and the prohibition by the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was due tthe soft corner in his heart for Hadhrat Abuzar (Radhiyallaho anhoj.Iest he be put to hardships that migh

prove too much for him. There is not the least shadow of disobedience in this episode. Since the Proph

(Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) himself was undergoing all sorts of hardships in spreading the message of Islam

Abuzar (Radhiyallaho anho) also thought it fit to follow his example rather than to avail of his permission

avoid danger. It was this spirit of Sahabah that took them to the heights of material and spiritual progresWhen a person once recited the Kalimah and entered the fold of Islam. no power on earth could turn hi

back and no oppression or tyranny could stop him from Tabligh.

6. The Afflictions of Hadhrat Khabbab bin Alarat (Radhiyallaho anho):

Hadhrat Khabbab (Radhiyallaho anho) is also one of those blessed persons who offered themselves fsacrifice and suffering for the cause of Allah. He was the sixth or seventh person to embrace Islam an

therefore. he suffered long. He was made to put on steel armour and lie in the sun to sweat and swelter. Ver

often he was made to lie flat on burning sand. which caused the flesh on his back to waste away. He was thslave of a woman. When she came to know that he was visiting the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallarn). sh

used to brand his head with a hot iron rod. Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) during his caliphate on

inquired of him about the details of his sufferings after embracing Islam. He showed him his back. seein

which Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) remarked. "I have never seen such a back before." He said. "M

body was dragged over heaps of smouldering charcoal, and the blood and fat coming out of my back put othe fire." It is said that when Islam spread and the Muslims conquered all the surrounding territory. he used

weep and say:

"Allah seems to be compensating us in this world for all our sufferings, and perhaps nothing would be left f

us as reward in the Hereafter."

Hadhrat Khabbab (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates:

"The Prophet (SallalIaho alaihe wasallam) once performed an unusually long rakaat while leading a SalaaWhen the Sahabah mentioned it to him, he said, "This was a Salaat of yearning and humility. I asked thre

boons from Allah. I besought Him:

'0, Allah! Let not my Ummat perish by famine; let not my Ummat be annihilated by an enemy gaining aupper hand on them; and let not my Ummat fight among themselves.'

Allah granted the first two prayers, but not the third one. "

Hadhrat Khabbab (Radhiyallaho anho) died in 37 A.H.


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He was the first of the Sahabah to be buried at Koofah. Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallaho anho) once passing h

grave said:

"May Allah bless and show mercy on Hadhrat Khabbab (Radhiyallaho anho). He embraced Islam willinglHe emigrated with great pleasure in Allah's path, and spent his whole life in striving and suffering for Islam

Blessed is the person who is mindful of the Day of Judgement, prepares for his reckoning. remains contente

with very little of this world, and is able to please his Lord."

To be able to please Allah, was really, the Sahabah's greatest achievement, for this was the sole purpose

their life.

7. Hadhrat Ammaar (Radhiyallaho anho) and His Parents:

Hadhrat Ammaar (Radhiyallaho anho) and his parents were also subjected to the severest afflictions. The

were tormented on the scorching sands of Mecca. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) while passing b

them would enjoin patience giving them glad tidings about paradise. Arnrnaar's father Yasir (Radhiyallah

anho) died after prolonged sufferings at the hands of persecutors, and his mother Sumayya (Radhiyallahanha) was killed by Abu

. Iahl, who put his spear through the most private part of her body, causing her death. She had refused t

renounce Islam in the face of terrible torture in her old age. The blessed lady was the first to meet martyrdomin the cause of Islam. The first mosque in Islam was built by Ammaar (Radhiyallaho anho).

When the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) emigrated to Madinah, Ammaar (Radhiyallaho anho) offereto build a structure for him where he could sit, take rest in the afternoon, and say his Salaat under its roof. H

first collected the stones and then built the musjid in Quba. He fought against the enemies of Islam with gre

zeal and courage. Once he was fighting in a battle when he said rejoicingly:

"I am to meet my friends very soon, I am to meet Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and hcompanions."

He then asked for water. He was offered some milk. He took it and said:

"I heard the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) saying to me, "Milk shall be the last drink of your worldlife. "

He then fought till he met his coveted end. He was then aged about ninety-four.

8. Hadhrat Sohaib's (Radhiyallaho anho) coming into Islam:

Hadhrat Sohaib and Hadhrat Ammaar (Radhiyallaho anhuma) became Muslims at the same time. Th

Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was staying at Arqam's (Radhiyallaho anho) place. when they bocame separately with the same intention of embracing Islam and met each other at the door of the hous

Sohaib (Radhiyallaho anho) also suffered very much at the hands of his persecutors, like other poor Muslim

of that time. At last he decided to emigrate to Madinah. The Qureysh would not tolerate this and, soon afthis departure, a party went in pursuit to bring him back to Mecca. As the party drew near, he shouted t

them:


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"You know that I am a better archer than all of you. So long as I have a single arrow left with me, you wi

not be able to approach me and, when I finish all my arrows, I shall fight you with my sword, as long as it

in my hand. If you like you can get my money which I have left in Mecca and my two women slaves, in lie

of me."And they agreed. He told them the whereabouts of his money, and they allowed him to proceed to Madina

At this, Allah revealed the following verse of the Qur'an to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam):

"And of mankind is he who would sell himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah, and Allah has compassion oHis bondsmen."

The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was at that time at Quba. When he saw Hadhrat Sohai

(Radhiyallaho anho) coming, he remarked:

"A good bargain, Sohaib!"

Sohaib (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates:

"The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was eating dates at that time. I also joined him in eating. One omy eyes was sore." He said, "Sohaib! you are taking dates when your eye is sore." 'But I am taking them b

the side of the other eye, which is not sore, 0, Prophet of Allah,' I replied. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaih

wasallam) was much amused with my retort."

Hadhrat Sohaib (Radhiyallaho anho) was very generous and he spent his money on others most lavishl

'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) once told him that he was rather extravagant. He replied:

"But I spend only where it is right."

When Hadhrat 'Urnar (Radhiyallaho anho) was about to die, he expressed the wish that his funeral service bled by Hadhrat Sohaib (Radhiyallaho anho).

9. Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) coming into Islam.

Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho}, of whom all the Muslims are justly proud. and the disbelievers sti

dread, was most adamant in opposing the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and very prominent ipersecuting the Muslims before he embraced Islam. One day. the Qureysh in a meeting called for somebod

to volunteer himself for the assassination of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasal lam). 'Umar (Radhiyallah

anho) offered himself for this job, at which everybody exclaimed:

"Surely, you can do it, 'Umar!"

With sword hanging from his neck, he set out straight away on his sinister errand. On his way he met Sa'a

bin Abi Waqqas of the Zuhrah clan. Sa'ad inquired:

"Whither! 'Urnar?"

'Urnar: "I am after finishing Muhamrnad."


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Sa'ad: "But do not you see that Banu Hashim, Banu Zuhrah and Banu Abde Munaf are likely to kill you retaliation?"

'Umar (upset at the warning):

"It seems.that you also have renounced the religion of your forefathers. Let me settle with you first."

So saying, Umar drew out his sword. Sa'ad announcing his Islam, also took out his sword. They were aboto start a duel when Sa'ad said:

"You had better first set your own house in order. Your sister and brother-in-law both have accepted Islam."

Hearing this, Umar flew into a towering rage and turned his steps towards his sister's house. The door of th

house was bolted from inside and both husband and wife were receiving lessons in the Qur'an from Hadhr

Khabbab (Radhiyallaho anho). 'Umar knocked at the door and shouted for his sister to open it. Hadhr

Khabbab (Radhiyallaho anho) hearing the voice of 'Umar, hid himself in some inner room, forgetting to takthe manuscript pages of the Holy Qur'an with him. When the sister opened the door, 'Umar hit her on th

head, saying:

"0, enemy of yourself. You too have renounced your religion. "

Her head began to bleed. He then went inside and inquired, "What were you doing? And who was thstranger 1 heard from outside?" His brother-in-law replied, "We were talking to each other." 'Umar said

him, "Have you also forsaken the creed of your forefathers and gone over to the new religion?" The brothe

in-law replied, "But what if the new religion be the better and the true one'?" 'Umar got Stories of thSahaabah

beside himself with rage and fell on him, pulling his beard and beating him most savagely. When the sist

intervened, he smote her so violently on her face that it bled most profusely. She was, after all, 'Umar's sisteshe burst out:

"'Umar! we are beaten only because we have become Muslims. Listen! we are determined to die as MuslimYou are free to do whatever you like."

When 'Urnar had cooled down and felt a bit ashamed over his sister's bleeding, his eyes fell on the pages

the Qur'an left behind by Hadhrat Khabbab (Radhiyallaho anho). He said, "Alright show me, what athese?" "No," said the sister. "you are unclean and no unclean person can touch the Scri pture." He insiste

but the sister was not prepared to allow him to touch the leaves unless he washed his body. 'Urnar at last gav

in. He washed his body and then began to read the leaves. It was Surah "Taha". He started from thbeginning of the Surah, and he! was a changed man altogether when he came to the verse:

"Lo! I, indeed I am Allah. There is none worthy of worship save Me. So serve me and establish Salaa

for My remembrance."

He said: "Alright, take me to Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)."

On hearing this, Hadhrat Khabbab (Radhiyallaho anho) came out from inside-and said:


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"0 'Umar! Glad tidings for you. Yesterday (on Thursday night} the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallamprayed to Allah, '0, Allah strengthen Islam with either 'Umar or Abu lahl, whomsoever Thoir Iikest'. It seem

that his prayer has been answered in your favour."

'Umar then went to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and embraced Islam on Friday morning. 'UmarIslam was a terrible blow to the morale of the unbelievers, but still the Muslims were few in number and th

whole country was against them. The disbelievers intensified, their efforts for the complete annihilation

Muslims and the extinction of Islam. With 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) on their side, the Muslims now startesaying their Salaat in the Haram. Abdullah bin Mas'ood (Radhiyallaho anho) says:

'Umar's Islam was a big triumph, his emigration to Madinah a tremendous reinforcement, and his accessioto the Caliphate a great blessing for the Muslims."

10. The Flight to Abyssinia and Ostracism in the Gorge of Ibn-Abi Talib:

The hardships and sufferings borne by the Muslims were ever on the increase. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaih

wasallam) at last permitted them to emigrate to some other place. Abyssinia at that time was ruled by

Christian King (who later on embraced Islam), famous for his mercy and equity. In Rajab of the fifth year the Mission, the .first group emigrated to Abyssinia. The group comprised about twelve men and fiv

women. The Qureysh pursued them to the port to capture them, but their vessels had left the shore. When th

group reached Abyssinia, they heard the rumour that the whole tribe of the Qureysh had accepted Islam

They were naturally very much pleased at the new~ and returned to their country. On approaching Meccthey learnt that the rumour was false and the persecutions wen; going on unabated. Some of them decided t

return to Abyssinia and the rest entered Mecca, seeking the protection of a few influential people. This

known as the first migration to Abyssinia. Later on, a bigger group of eightythree men and eighteen womeemigrated to Abyssinia (separately). This is called the second emigration to that country. Some Sahabah too

part in both the migrations. The Qureysh did not like the emigrations, and the thought of peace enjoyed b

the fugitives gave them no rest. They sent a delegation to Abyssinia with handsome presents for the king, h

courtiers and the clergy. The delegation first met the chiefs and the priests arid, by offering them present

succeeded in winning the court officials to their side. Having thus made their way to the royal court, theprostrated themselves before the king and then presenting the gifts put their case before him. They said:

"0, king! A few foolish lads of our community have renounced their ancestral faith, and have joined a

absolutely new religion, which is opposed to' our as well as your religions. They have come and "settled i

your country. The nobility of Mecca, their own parents and kith and kin have sent us to take them back their country. We beseech you to make them over to us."

The king replied:

"We cannot make over the people who have sought our shelter, without proper investigation. Let us call the

to our presence, and hear them out. If your charge of apostasy against them is genuine. we shall make themover to you." .

The king thereupon summoned the Muslims to his court. They were at first greatly distressed and did n

know what to do. but Allah gave them courage. and they decided to go and place the true facts before thking. On appearing before him. they greeted him with 'Salaam'. Someone from the courtiers objected ththey had not prostrated before the king according to the rules of the land. They explained:


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"Our Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) has forbidden us from prostrating before anyone except Allah."

The king then asked them to submit what defence they could make to the charges brought against them. [a'f

(Radhiyallaho anho) rose and addressed the king thus:

"0, king! we were an ignorant people. We neither knew Allah nor His Prophets A.S. We worshipped stone

We used to eat carrion and commit all sorts of undesirable and disgraceful acts. We did not make good ou

obligations to our relatives. The strong among us would thrive.at the expense of the weak. Till at last, Allaraised a Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) for our reformation. His noble descent, up-right conducintegrity of purpose, and pure life are only too well known amongst us. He called upon us to worship Alla

and exhorted us to give up idolatry and stoneworship. He enjoined upon us right conduct, and forbade ufrom indecency. He taught us to tell the truth, to make good our trust, to have regard for our kith and kin, an

to do good to our neighbours. From him we learnt to observe Salaat. Fasting. Zakaat and good conduct; an

to shun everything foul, and to avoid bloodshed. He forbade adultery, lewdness telling of lie

misappropriating the orphan's heritage, bringing false accusations against others, and all other indecent thin

of that sort. He taught us the Qur'an, the won Ch. I: Steadfastness in the Face of Hardships 33

derful book of Allah. So we believed in him, followed him and acted up to his teachings. Thereupon ou

people began to persecute us, and to subject us to tortures, thinking that we might abjure our faith and reveto idolatry. When, however, their cruelties exceeded all bounds, we took shelter in your country by th

permission of our Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallarn]."

The king said:

"Let us hear something of the Qur'an that your Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) has taught you."

Hadhrat [a'far (Radhiyallaho anho) recited a few verses from the beginning of Surah "Maryam", whic

touched the hearts of the king and the priestly class so much that tears flowed down their cheeks and wette

their beards. The king remarked:

"By Allah, these words and the words revealed to Moosa ('Alayhis Salam) are the rays of one and the sam

light,"

and he told the Qureysh embassy that he would by no means hand over the refugees to them. The

disappointed and disgraced, they held a counsel. One of them said:

"I have hit upon a plan that is sure to draw the king's wrath upon their heads."

Although the others did not agree to such a drastic step (for after all they were their own flesh and blood), yhe would not listen. The next day. they excited the king by telling him that those heretics denounced 'Is

('AlayhisSalaml and did not believe in his Divinity. The Muslims were again summoned to the court. The

were much more distressed this time. When the king inquired about their belief in '{sa ('Alayhis Salam). the

said:

"We believe in what Allah has revealed about him to our Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), Le. he is

servant and Prophet of Allah, and is His word, which He conveyed to the virgin and pure Maryam."

Negus said: "Tsa ('Alayhis Salam) himself does-not say anything beyond that."


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The priests then began to murmur in protest, but the king would not listen to them. He returned to thdelegation the presents they had brought for him, and said to the Muslims:

"Go and live in peace. If anybody ill-treats you. he will have to pay heavily for it."

A royal declaration was also issued to that effect. This enhanced the prestige of the Muslims in the countr

and the Qureysh delegation had to return crestfallen.

This failure of the Qureysh embassy to Abyssinia. and the triumph of Muslims over them. led to an increain the exasperation of the idolaters; the conversion of 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) to Islam added fuel to fir

They grew more and more embittered. till things came to such a pass that a large number of the Qureyschiefs conspired to kill Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) outright and deal summarily with the who

affair. But this was not so easy. Banu Hashim to which clan the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam

belonged. were strong in number and still stronger in influence. Although all of them were not Muslims, y

even the non-Muslims among them would not agree to. or tolerate the murder of the Prophet (Sallallah

alaihe wasallam). The Qureysh, therefore. decided to place a social ban on the Banu Hashim, and their chiedrew up a document to the effect that none of them or their clans would associate with. buy from or sell t

those who sided with the Banu Hashim, unless and until they surrendered Muhammad (Sallallaho alaih

wasallam) for the death penalty. All of them signed this document on 1st Moharram of 7th year of thMission, and the scroll was hung up in the Ka'abah in order to give it full sanctity. Then. for three long year

the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was shut up with all his kinsfolk in the glen. which was a sub

section of one of the gorges that run down to Mecca. For three long years, nobody could see them nor couthey see anybody. They could not purchase anything in Mecca nor from any trader coming from outside.

any person was found outside this natural prison. he was beaten mercilessly and if he asked for anything

was flatly refused. Soon their stock of food was exhausted and they were reduced to famine rations. Thewomen and. more specially. the children and suckling babies would cry with hunger, and this was harder o

them than their own starvation. During the last part of this period. their sole subsistence was the little foo

that the husbands of Hashimite women married into other clans managed to smuggle into the glen in th

darkness of night.

At last by the Grace of Allah. after three years the scroll was eaten up by white ants and the ban wa

removed. The severity of the afflictions, which they bore during this period of ostracism. cannot be imagineBut the Sahabah not only remained steadfast in their faith, but also kept busy in spreading the light of Islam

amongst their comrades in distress.

Look! How .rnuch the Sahabah have suffered in the path of Allah and for the cause of Islam. We claim tfollow their footsteps. and dream of the material progress and spiritual elevation which was theirs. but ho

much have we suffered in the true cause? what sacrifice have we offered for the sake of Allah in His path

Success is always proportionate to the sacrifice. We wish to live in luxury' and comfort. and are too eager trace shoulder to shoulder with the non-Muslims in enjoying the good things of this world. forgetting th

Hereafter. and then at the same time we expect to receive the same help from Allah which the Sahaba

received in their time. We cannot beguile anybody but ourselves by working like this. As the Poet has said.

'I am afraid, 0 wayfarer. that you will not reach the Ka'aba because the path that you are following goes (

the opposite direction) to Turkistan.


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Chapter 2: Fear of Allah

Coupled with the remarkable spirit of sacrifice, the Sahabah had genuine and deep-rooted fear of Allah their hearts. I wish today's Muslims could have an iota of that fear of. Allah. Here are a few stories about th

aspect of their lives.

1. The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) Apprehensions at the time of a storm.

Hadhrat Aishah (Radhiyallaho anha) relates that whenever a strong wind bringing dense clouds starteblowing, the Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) face turned pale with the fear of Allah. He became restiv

and would go in and out with perturbation, and would recite the following prayer:

"0, my Allah! I ask of Thee the good out of this wind, the good out of that which is in this wind, and the gooout of that which is the outcome of this wind. I seek refuge in Thee from the evil of this wind, from the ev

out of that which is in this wind, and from the evil out of that which is the outcome of this wind."

She says:

"And further when it began to rain, signs of delight appeared on his face. I said to him once, '0, Prophet

Allah when clouds appear everybody is happy as they foretell rain, but why is it that I see you so mucperturbed at that time?' He replied, '0, 'Aishah! How can I feel secure that this wind does not portend Allah

wrath? The people of A'ad were punished with the wind. They were happy when they beheld the gatherin

dense clouds. believing that they brought rain; but actually those clouds brought no rain but utter destructioto 'A'ad."

The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was, obviously, . referring to the following verses of the Qur'an:

"Then, when they (A'ad) beheld a dense cloud coming toward their valleys, they said: "Here is a clou

bringing us rain." Nay, but it is that very calamity which you did seek to hasten, a wind wherein

grievous penalty, destroying all things by commandment of its Lord. And morning found them so th

naught could be seen, save their dwellings. Thus we treat the guilty folk." . (XLVI: 24 & 25)

Look at the fear of Allah in the heart of a person who is the best of all creation (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam

In spite of a clear verse in the Qur'an that Allah would not punish the people so long as the Prophe(Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was with them (AI-Qur'an VIII: 33), he has so much fear of Allah in him that

strong wind reminds him of the punishment awarded to the people in the past. Now let us peep into our ow

hearts for a moment. Although we are fully saturated with sins, yet none of the unusual phenomena viearthquake, lightning, etc., arouses the least fear of Allah in our hearts and, instead of resorting to Istighfaa

or Salaat at such times, we only indulge in absurd investigations.

2. What Hadhrat Anas (Radhiyallaho anho) used to do when a storm approached:

Hadhrat Nadhr-bin-Abdullah relates:

"One day while Hadhrat Anas (Radhiyallaho anho) was alive, it became very dark during the day time.

went to him and said, "Did you ever see much a thing in the Prophet's time?" He replied, "I seek refuge i


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Allah! In those days if the breeze grew a little stronger than normal, we would hasten towards the musjidfearing the approach of the Last Day."

Hadhrat Abu Darda (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates:

"Whenever there was a storm, the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam} would get perturbed and would go

the musjid."

Who thinks of going to musjid, now-a-days. even at the time of the worst of calamities? Leave aside thcommon people, even those who regard themselves as good and practising Muslims do not practise th

Sunnat. What a deterioration!

3. The action of Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) at the Time of Solar Eclipse.

The 'Sun once was in eclipse in the Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) time. The Sahabah left their job

Even the young boys, practising archery, hastened towards the musjid to know what the Prophet (Sallallah

alaihe wasaHam) would do at that time. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) started Salaat of tw

rakaat, which were so long that some people fainted and fell down. He wept in. his Salaat and said:

"0, My Lord! Thou has said that Thou \Vouldst not punish them as long as I am with them and so long

they seek Thy forgiveness."

This refers to, a verse in the Qur'an wherein Allah says:

"But Allah would not punish them while Thou art with them. nor will He punish them while they see

forgiveness." (VIII-33)

He then addressed the people saying:

"You should hasten for Salaat whenever you happen to find the Sun or the Moon in eclipse. If you happen

know the signs of the Last Day as I do. then surely you would weep more and laugh less. In all suchappenings, repair to Salaat; pray to Allah and distribute alms to the poor."

4. The Prophet's weeping the whole night:

The Prophet once (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) kept weeping the whole night through, repeating again an

again the following verse:

"If Thou punish them. they art Thy slaves; and if Thou forgive them. Thou only art the Mighty, thWise." S (V:118)

It is said about Imam Abu Hanifah (Rahmatullah alaih) that he also once wept the whole night reciting thfollow ing verse of the Qur'an in Tahajjud:

"But avaunt ye, 0, ye guilty, this day." (XXXVI: 58)


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This verse means that on the Day of Judgement. the guilty will" be asked to separate themselves from thgood, and will not be allowed to mix with them as they were doing in the worldly life. Why should not th

people with fear of Allah in their hearts weep in anxiety regarding which class they will belong to on th

Day?

5. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) and The Fear of Allah:

According to our belief Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) is the most exalted person after the Prophets (ma

peace be on all of them). The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) himself conveyed to him the glad tidingof his being the head of a group of persons in Paradise. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) onc

remarked:

"Abu Bakr's name shall be called outfrom all the gates of Paradise. and he will be the first of my followers t

enter it."

With all these virtues and privileges, Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) used to say:

"I wish I were a tree that would be cut and done away with."

Sometimes he would say:

"I wish I were a blade of grass. whose life ended with the grazing by some beast."

He also said: "I wish I were a hair on the body of a Mo'min."

Once he went to a garden. where he saw a bird singing. He sighed deeply and said:

"0, bird! How lucky you are! You eat, you drink and fly under the shade of the trees, and you fear n

reckoning of the Day of Judgement. I wish I were just like you."

Hadhrat Rabiah Aslami (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates:

"Once I had some argument with Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho), during which he uttered a word that I dinot like. He realized it immediately and said to me 'Brother, please say that word back to me in retaliation.

refused to do so. He persisted, and even spoke of referring the matter to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaih

wasallam), but I did not agree to utter that word. He got up and left me. A few people of my clan remarke'Look! How strange! The person does wrong to you and, on the top of that, he threatens to complain to th

Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)'. I said, 'Do you .know who he is. He is Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho

To displease him is to displease the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and to displease the Proph

(Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) is to displease Allah, and if Allah is displeased then who can save Rabiah fromruin?' I went to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and narrated the whole story to him. He said, 'Yo

were quite right in refusing to utter that word. But you could have said this much in reply: '0, Abu Bak(Radhiyallaho anho) May Allah forgive you!"

Look at the fear of Allah in Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho)! He is so anxious to clear his accounts

this world that no sooner has a slightly unpleasant word been addressed by him to a person, than he regrets and requests him to say that word back to him in retaliation. He is so particular in this that he threatens have the retaliation done through the intervention of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). We are in th


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habit of saying offensive words to others, but we fear neither the retaliation nor the reckoning in thHereafter.

6. Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) and the Fear of Allah.

Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) would often hold a straw in his hand and say:

"I wish I were a straw like this."

Sometimes he would say:

"I wish my mother had not given birth to me."

Once he was busy with some important work when a person came to him and, complaining about some pett

grievance, requested for its redress. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) laid a lash across his shoulder

saying:

"When I sit for that purpose, you do not come to me but when I am engaged in other important work yo

come with your grievances to interrupt me."

The person walked away. But Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) sent for him and, handing his whip over thim, said:

"You now lash me to even the matter."

He said: "I forgive you for the sake of Allah."

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) went home, prayed a Salaat of two rakaats in repentance and upbraide

himself saying:

"0, Umar! You were low but Allah elevated you. You were wandering astray but Allah guided you. Yowere base but Allah ennobled you and gave you sovereignty over His people. Now one of them comes an

asks you for redress of the wrong done to him, and you beat him? What answer have you to give befo

Allah?"

He kept on chiding himself thus for a very long time.

Once Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) was going on his usual round towards Harrah (a suburb oMadinah) with his slave Aslam, when he saw a distant fire in the desert. He said:

"There seems to be a camp. Perhaps, it is a caravan that could not enter the town due to night fall. Let's g

and look after them and arrange for their protection during the night."

When he reached there, he found a woman and some children. The children were crying. The woman hadpan of water over the fire. Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) greeted her with salaam and, with hpermission, went near her.


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Umar: "Why are these children crying?"

The Woman: "Because they are hungry."

Umar: "What is in the pan?"

The Woman: "Only water to soothe the children, so that they may go to sleep in the belief that food is bein

prepared for them. Ah! Allah will judge between Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) and me, on the Day Judgement, for neglecting me in my distress. "

'Umar (weeping): "May Allah have mercy on you! How can Umar know of your distress?"

The Woman: "When he is our Amir, he must keep himself informed about us."

Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) returned to the town and straightway went to Baitul-Mal to fill a sac

with flour, dates, fat and clothes, and also drew some money. When the sack was ready, he said to Aslam:

"Now put this sack on my back, Aslam."

Aslam: "No please, Amir-ul-Mo'mineen! I shall carry this sack."

'Umar refused to listen to Aslam, even on his persistant requests to allow him to carry the sack, anremarked:

"What! Will you carry my load on the Day of Iudgement? I must carry this bag, for it is I who would bquestioned (in the Hereafter) about this woman."

Aslam most reluctantly placed the bag on Umar's (Radhiyallaho anho) back, who carried it with a swift pac

right to the woman's tent. Aslam followed at his heels. He put a little flour and some dates and fat in the paand began to stir. He blew (with his mouth) into the fire to kindle it. Aslam says:

"I saw the smoke passing through his thick beard."

After some time, the pottage was ready. He himself served it to the family. When they had eaten to their fi

he made over to them the little that was left for their next meal. The children were very happy after their me

and began to play about merrily. The woman felt very grateful and remarked: "May Allah reward you fyour kindness! In fact you deserve to take the place of Khalifah instead of 'Urnar."

'Umar consoled her and said:

"When you come to see the Khalifah, you will find me there."

He sat for a while at a place close by and kept on watching the children. He then returned to Madinah. On hway back, he said to Aslam:

"Do you know why I sat there, Aslam? I had seen them weeping in distress; I liked to, see them laughing anhappy for some time

hikyat e sahaba

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